Keith Monkman - The Dropshot King
Opponents on the tennis court know all about Keith’s dropshot, but what is behind the steely stare of one of our club’s founder members ? Here are a few snippets to paint a picture for you.
Tennis for Keith began at the age of 14, having booked a court at Harehills Park, Leeds with some friends. He has played tennis at the Barwick club since it was founded in 1972 and has always been a prominent figure in the club’s activities. His best tennis moment to date ? Not collecting titles in the Barston Ash men’s singles, men’s and mixed doubles tournaments, but rather winning the Barwick championship mixed doubles with his wife Val in 1979 of course. Keith’s favourite player is Stephan Edberg (who also had a reasonable dropshot), closely followed by Roger Federer.
Keith has hidden talents as a snooker player. He is president of the Barwick Miners Institute and Snooker Club and has a top break of 53. His music tastes are varied but his preference is for classical with Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony topping his desert island discs selection. A keen pianist, Keith has ‘wowed’ his friends at social events with his skills on the ivories.
One of Keith’s loves is to travel, see new places and dine out on good food. Despite his recent mishap in South Africa (rumour has it that the real story involved fighting off a half-starved lioness), Keith is already planning his next trip. Australia and New Zealand are next on the itinerary, but Keith says that it will be tough to match the beauty and magnificence of his favourite destination to date, Victoria Falls.
If there was one thing that Keith would like to see at the tennis club again, it would be a return to the days when the social side of the game was more prominent. Although he is by his own admission a competitive player, Keith enjoys a good get together, whether it be in the pub after a gruelling three set match or at club social events, such as the forthcoming American Tournament barbecue.
A medical consultation at the end of April will determine whether Keith’s broken leg will keep him out of any of Barwick’s league matches this season and we all wish him a speedy recovery. Until we next see his wisdom on the court, we will have to make do with his tip for the Wimbledon men’s title – Djokovic, who at 5-1 with the bookies could be a good bet.
Opponents on the tennis court know all about Keith’s dropshot, but what is behind the steely stare of one of our club’s founder members ? Here are a few snippets to paint a picture for you.
Tennis for Keith began at the age of 14, having booked a court at Harehills Park, Leeds with some friends. He has played tennis at the Barwick club since it was founded in 1972 and has always been a prominent figure in the club’s activities. His best tennis moment to date ? Not collecting titles in the Barston Ash men’s singles, men’s and mixed doubles tournaments, but rather winning the Barwick championship mixed doubles with his wife Val in 1979 of course. Keith’s favourite player is Stephan Edberg (who also had a reasonable dropshot), closely followed by Roger Federer.
Keith has hidden talents as a snooker player. He is president of the Barwick Miners Institute and Snooker Club and has a top break of 53. His music tastes are varied but his preference is for classical with Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony topping his desert island discs selection. A keen pianist, Keith has ‘wowed’ his friends at social events with his skills on the ivories.
One of Keith’s loves is to travel, see new places and dine out on good food. Despite his recent mishap in South Africa (rumour has it that the real story involved fighting off a half-starved lioness), Keith is already planning his next trip. Australia and New Zealand are next on the itinerary, but Keith says that it will be tough to match the beauty and magnificence of his favourite destination to date, Victoria Falls.
If there was one thing that Keith would like to see at the tennis club again, it would be a return to the days when the social side of the game was more prominent. Although he is by his own admission a competitive player, Keith enjoys a good get together, whether it be in the pub after a gruelling three set match or at club social events, such as the forthcoming American Tournament barbecue.
A medical consultation at the end of April will determine whether Keith’s broken leg will keep him out of any of Barwick’s league matches this season and we all wish him a speedy recovery. Until we next see his wisdom on the court, we will have to make do with his tip for the Wimbledon men’s title – Djokovic, who at 5-1 with the bookies could be a good bet.